“Benue Assembly: Speaker Stepped Down On Personal Grounds, Not Gov Alia’s Pressure”

Benue Assembly Says Speaker’s Resignation Not Influenced by Governor Alia

The Benue State House of Assembly has dismissed claims that Governor Hyacinth Alia influenced the resignation of its Speaker, Aondona Dajoh, stressing that the move was based on personal conviction.

Speaking during an interview on The Morning Brief, a Channels Television programme aired on Monday, Assembly spokesperson Elias Audu stated that the legislature remains autonomous and its members are not subject to external control.

“The governor cannot control members of the Assembly,” Audu said. “The Speaker was carrying out his responsibilities diligently, and at some point, he chose to resign — in his words — in good faith and in the interest of the state.”

According to Audu, the resignation was not prompted by any interference or pressure from the executive arm of government. He added that even if Governor Alia had political interests, those were not communicated or known to the House.

“We are playing politics, yes, but there’s no internal crisis. The members are independent-minded and cannot be coerced,” he said.

Dajoh submitted his resignation letter on Sunday, thanking his colleagues and constituents for their support and stating that his decision was made in the best interest of Benue State.

Despite speculation of political undercurrents, Assembly members have maintained that there is no infighting within the legislature.

”IREPORTER REPORTS”